It would be difficult to characterize any matchup between Bethesda Day and Urban Christian as a rivalry. The basketball teams haven't met in several years, and Urban Christian is an independent school whereas the Blazers play in the Georgia Independent School Association.

But that's not how either team is looking at tonight's 7:30 game at Bethesda. The schools may be sporadic foes, but the future is looking much different. Urban Christian (6-0) has been accepted into the GISA, but has to sit out this year. Considering its small enrollment size, Urban Christian will most likely be put in the same region with the Blazers (3-1) next season, making tonight a preview of things to come.

"We're excited about it. I think it's a great opportunity for the kids to showcase their talents to the local crowd," Saints coach Charles Gordon said. "I think it'll be a healthy situation for both schools."

Bethesda coach Mickey Minick is also excited about Urban Christian playing in the GISA. Citing it provides a good test for the Blazers, Minick said he would be interested in continuing the schools' relationship, even if they somehow end up in different regions next season.

The challenge of playing Urban Christian in the future, however, won't be an easy one. It won't be tonight, either. The Saints boast the services of standout junior guard Cashmere Wright, who averaged 35 points last season and has picked up right where he left off. Minick admitted Bethesda is lacking in size, so how well the Blazers contain 7-foot-2 sophomore Jamarious Sykes will be crucial.

For the Saints, stopping forward Anterius Roberts and junior guard Alonzo Shields will be important as the two combined for almost 50 points in Bethesda's 75-26 win over Abundant Life last week.

Since neither coach has seen the other team play, game plans are inconsequential. But when it comes to what they know through team reputation, both know that playing fundamentally sound will be extremely important.

"Maybe in the second meeting we'll know how to better prepare for them," Gordon said. "But right now, we're just going to prepare as Urban Christian has always prepared."

For Bethesda, the reputation of Wright's basketball talents has given the Blazers at least a bit of an idea of what to expect. It doesn't help much, however, since figuring out how to keep him from doing too much damage would almost certainly open things up for the Saints' other standouts.

"He's a great guard and I hear he's good at driving as well as shooting the basketball, but I also hear that they shoot inside, so it's not like you can focus particularly on Cashmere because they've got some real good guys inside," Minick said. "That can create a problem for us."

URBAN CHRISTIAN (6-0) at BETHESDA DAY (3-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Where: Bethesda Day School

Notes: Urban Christian boasts the services of junior guard Cashmere Wright, the 81st-ranked junior in the country according to rivals.com. ... Bethesda has had to reschedule several of its recent home games due to a shattered backboard. The backboard has been replaced and the game will be held at Bethesda's gymnasium.